MOMAH Enhances Efforts to Develop the National Urban Policy in Collaboration with the United Nations and with Broad Participation from Various Sectors

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The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), organized the inaugural workshop to launch the formulation of the National Urban Policy in the Kingdom. The workshop witnessed broad participation from representatives of government and private sectors, academic institutions, and international partners.

This workshop marks the first step toward developing a comprehensive National Urban Policy that promotes balanced and sustainable urban development in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and relevant international commitments.

During the opening remarks, Eng. Khalid Al-Ghamlas, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning and Lands, emphasized the importance of developing urban policy through a participatory approach involving all relevant stakeholders, supported by effective institutional coordination to enhance the ability to address current and future urban challenges.

Margaret Jones Williams, Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP in the Kingdom, and Taina Christiansen, Representative of UN-Habitat, also delivered speeches highlighting the importance of integrating national and international expertise in building urban policies that support sustainable development, inclusivity, and spatial justice.

The workshop featured interactive discussions addressing the proposed framework for the National Urban Policy. Key themes included enhancing urban density and integrated planning, improving resource efficiency in urban areas, achieving spatial balance and integration among regions, promoting quality of life and social inclusion, supporting economic vitality and productivity, and strengthening coordination and institutional integration mechanisms across sectors.

Participants stressed the importance of aligning these themes with the national context of the Kingdom, ensuring they are consistent with local priorities while drawing on the best relative international practices and experiences.

This workshop serves as the starting point for a series of technical consultations to be conducted in partnership with stakeholders through an inclusive and participatory process. The process will rely on best practices and studies to shape the vision and content of the National Urban Policy, reflecting the Kingdom’s aspirations toward more balanced, resilient, and sustainable cities.

This initiative is part of a broader program led by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing to advance urban planning in the Kingdom in collaboration with national and international partners. It aims to strengthen the regulatory and legislative framework of urban planning, build institutional capacities, and enable integrated and sustainable urban development across the Kingdom. It also reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to developing a National Urban Policy aligned with global best practices and supporting its vision for inclusive and sustainable urban growth.

It is worth noting that the Global State of National Urban Policy 2024 report, issued by UN-Habitat and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), indicated that around 80% of countries worldwide have adopted national urban policies to improve urban growth management and enhance cross-sectoral coordination.

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